RAISINA TATTLE: Gadkari dodges beef ban questions

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari was seen evading questions on the ongoing controversy over a beef ban.

When asked about his views on Union ministers Kiren Rijiju and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi expressing contrary opinions on beef consumption, Gadkari said he cannot comment as he was away from Delhi and arrived only on Thursday morning from Nagpur.

New DRDO chief

The government has finally named the new chief of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Eminent scientist S. Christopher will take over as the director general of DRDO. He at present is working as distinguished scientist and programme director of Airborne Early Warning and Control System.

The government has also appointed scientist G.S. Reddy as scientific adviser to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.

The DRDO chief’s post had been lying vacant since January 31, when its chief Avinash Chander’s contract was curtailed. Earlier, the DRDO chief was also the scientific advisor to the defence minister but now the posts have been separated.

In the same boat

Congress veteran Anil Shastri has endorsed the views of yoga guru Ramdev, who recently said NDA government ministers were arrogant, saying that some of the previous UPA ministers too behaved the same way.

“Baba Ramdev rightly says that NDA ministers are arrogant. They will meet the same fate as some of our ministers who too were arrogant," Shastri tweeted.

Himalayan hug

The Nepal army has thanked the large contingent of Indian armed forces personnel working relentlessly for over a month in earthquake relief operations.

A special appreciation came for Indian defence ministry’s photographer Shib Narayan Acharya who has captured rarest images of the tragedy. He visited over 50 villages and even helped rescue two French nationals from Machhakhola, 17 days after the earthquake.

Nepal Army Chief General Gaurav Shumsher Rana on Thursday hosted a special dinner for the Indian armed forces personnel, including IAF pilots, taking part in the relief operation.

Naval invite

India has invited Chinese navy to take part in an international fleet review to be held in Vishakhapatnam next year.

Navy Chief R.K. Dhowan confirmed on Thursday that an invite has gone to the PLA Navy for the event. He also said that India keeps a close watch on the PLA Navy’s activities in the region.